US6191203B1ExpiredUtility

Polymer blends containing polyhydroxyalkanoates and compositions with good retention of elongation

87
Assignee: MONSANTO COPriority: Oct 31, 1997Filed: Oct 27, 1998Granted: Feb 20, 2001
Est. expiryOct 31, 2017(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jawed AsrarJean R. Pierre
C08L 67/04
87
PatentIndex Score
46
Cited by
18
References
23
Claims

Abstract

Biodegradable polymer blend compositions are provided which contain oligomeric esters. The oligoester compounds can compatibilize blends of two or more biodegradable polymers resulting in excellent ductility and reduced tendency to embrittlement of products produced from therefrom. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blend composition comprises a PHA, polycaprolactone (PCL) and one or more oligomeric esters. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the blend composition comprises a PHA, polybutylenesuccinate-adipate (PBSUA), and one or more oligomeric esters.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A polymer blend composition comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer (PHA), 
       wherein the PHA has the structural formula:                    
       wherein a=1-4, b=0-15, Y is H, and n is an integer;  
       a second polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylenesuccinate-adipate (PBSUA), wherein said second polymer is immiscible with PHA, and one or more oligomeric glycol adipic acid ester compatibilizers, in an amount sufficient to improve miscibility of the first and second polymers. 
     
     
       2. A method of producing a shaped polymeric object comprising melting a polymer blend composition comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer (PHA), 
       wherein the PHA has the structural formula:                    
       wherein a—1-4, b=0-15, Y is H, and n is an integer;  
       a second biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylenesuccinate-adipate (PBSUA), wherein said second polymer is immiscible with PHA, and one or more oligomeric glycol adipic acid ester compatibilizers, in an amount sufficient to improve miscibility of the first and second polymers, and producing a shaped object therefrom by extrusion, molding, coating, spinning, blowing, thermoforming or calendaring processes or combinations of the processes. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim  1 , wherein the oligomeric ester is present at levels from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim  1 , wherein the oligomeric ester is present at levels from 2% to 15% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim  2 , wherein the oligomeric ester is present at levels from 1% to 20% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim  2 , wherein the oligomeric ester is present at levels from 2% to 15% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim  1  wherein the oligomeric ester has a molecular weight in the range of 500 to 20,000, wherein the molecular weight is a weight average molecular weight. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim  1  wherein the oligomeric ester has a molecular weight in the range of 1500 to 7500, wherein the molecular weight is a weight average molecular weight. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim  1  wherein the first and second polymers have a relative weight ratio of 99:1 to 1:99. 
     
     
       10. The composition of claim  1  wherein the first and second polymers have a relative weight ratio of 80:20 to 20:80. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim  1  wherein the PHA is polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) or polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV). 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim  1  wherein the PCL is present at 20 to 30 wt % in the blend. 
     
     
       13. The composition of claim  1  wherein the oligomeric ester is poly(1,3-butylene glycol-co-1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthahic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2 ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with mixed fatty acids, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid), or poly(1,4-butylene glycol-co-ethylene glycol adipic acid). 
     
     
       14. The method of claim  2  wherein the oligomeric ester is poly(1,3-butylene glycol-co-1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentyl glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2 ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with mixed fatty acids, poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid), or poly(1,4-butylene glycol-co-ethylene glycol adipic acid). 
     
     
       15. The method of claim  2  wherein the Mw of the oligomeric ester is 500 to 20000, wherein the molecular weight is a weight average molecular weight. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim  2  wherein the PHA is polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) or polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV). 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  2  wherein the second polymer is polycaprolactone. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim  17  wherein the polycaprolactone is present at 10 to 40 wt. % of the blend. 
     
     
       19. A shaped object made according to claim  2 . 
     
     
       20. A shaped object made according to claim  15 . 
     
     
       21. A shaped object made according to claim  16 . 
     
     
       22. A shaped object made according to claim  17 . 
     
     
       23. A shaped object made according to claim  18 .

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